Cariad Beauty

Where do I even start… 🥹❤️

It's taken me a day to actually process everything because honestly… what an incredible bloody night.

My first SHABA experience and I genuinely don't think I could have enjoyed myself any more than I did. The atmosphere, the people, the networking and the sheer amount of talent in that room was absolutely unreal. I met some incredible people, made some amazing connections and laughed from start to finish. I honestly just want to do it all over again.

Unfortunately, I didn't bring the award home this year. Of course I would have loved to, but strangely, I'm not walking away feeling defeated.
I'm walking away inspired.

This whole experience has been the biggest learning curve. I went into it not really knowing what to expect or where the bar was — now I know 👀

And considering I'm just one little person, working away building my business and doing what I love, the fact that I even got to stand in that room as a SHABA Best Braid Stylist Finalist amongst that level of talent is something I'm bloody proud of ❤️

But next year?

Ohhhh… I'm coming back bigger.

I've already got ideas. I know where I can push myself further and I'll definitely be putting myself forward for some other categories too.

And can we just talk about the LOVE I received all night?! ❤️

I genuinely don't think I walked past anybody without someone stopping me. My hair, my makeup, my dress, my whole look… the compliments were absolutely unreal. I lost count of the amount of times I got called Jessica Rabbit 😂❤️ and at one point I even had a pageant winner asking me if I'd ever considered entering pageants!

For someone who can be incredibly critical of herself, I can't even explain what that did for my confidence.

I felt amazing.
I felt confident.

And most importantly, I felt like I belonged there.
I'm also incredibly grateful to every single person who supported me throughout this whole journey. Every vote, share, message, comment, client, friend and family member who genuinely rooted for me — thank you.

No trophy came home with me this time…
But I came home with new connections, new friends, more confidence, a ridiculous amount of inspiration and a fire in my belly for what's coming next 🔥

So I think it's safe to say…

SHABA 2026, you haven't seen the last of me🏆❤️

A massive thank you to:
Caroline Topping for my stunning hair do
Make up by linsey - for my beautiful make up
Craig Innes for my tan & hair 😉
Emma Webster for my gorgeous nails
Perfect Pixels Photography for my amazing images

WHAT. A. NIGHT. 🥹🏆✨

My first SHABA experience and WOW… the talent, the atmosphere, the people, the networking — absolutely incredible. I genuinely didn't want it to end! ❤️

I didn't bring the award home this year, but I came home with something just as valuable — experience, connections, confidence and a whole new level of determination.

I went in not knowing where the bar was… now I do 👀

To be standing amongst that level of talent as a Best Braid Stylist Finalist is something I'll always be proud of.

And the LOVE I received all night?! 🥹 From the hair and makeup to the dress — I've never been called Jessica Rabbit so many times in my life 😂❤️ I genuinely felt amazing.

So no trophy this time…

But trust me, I'm only getting started.

SHABA 2027 — I'm coming back bigger, bolder and raising that bar 👀🔥🏆

Thank you to EVERYONE who supported me through this journey ❤️

This one's just the beginning ✨

WE'RE HERE!! 😭🏆✨

SHABA 2026 ❤️

Just wanted to quickly say the biggest THANK YOU to every single client, friend and family member who's supported me, voted for me, shared my posts, listened to me stress 😂 and believed in me throughout this whole journey.

Whatever happens tonight, I'm bloody proud to be standing here as a Best Braid Stylist Finalist 🥹❤️

Now it's time to switch off, enjoy the night and take it all in!

Wish me luck!! 🤞🏆✨

And just a little heads up — all messages will be replied to Monday evening. I'm taking tonight and tomorrow to actually enjoy this after all the madness leading up to it 😂❤️

Please bear with me and I'll get back to everyone as soon as I can!

Right… LET'S DO THIS!! 🏆🥂🤞❤️

ONE MORE SLEEP!! 🥹🏆✨

I genuinely can't believe I'm saying that… tomorrow is the SHABA Awards!! 😭

The preparations are pretty much done, and now it's all starting to feel VERY real 😂 I'm excited, I'm nervous, I'm emotional… basically a little bit of everything!

Whatever happens tomorrow night, I am genuinely so bloody proud of myself ❤️ This journey hasn't exactly been straightforward and there have been plenty of moments where I've questioned myself, doubted myself and nearly thrown the towel in completely. But I didn't.

I'm going to walk into those awards tomorrow as a SHABA Best Braid Stylist Finalist and actually allow myself to take that in 🥹🏆

I want to enjoy the whole experience — getting ready, walking in, meeting everyone, seeing all the incredible talent in that room and just being present for something I never imagined I'd be part of.

And honestly, the support I've had throughout all of this has been unreal. Every vote, share, comment, message and person who's told me to keep going when I've doubted myself… thank you ❤️

You have no idea how much it's meant to me.

Tomorrow isn't just about whether I come home with an award. Getting this far already means more to me than I can explain.

But obviously… I'm still keeping EVERYTHING crossed 😂🤞🏆

One. More. Sleep.
SHABA 2026… here we bloody come!! 😭✨❤️

🎉✨ WE HAVE A WINNER!! ✨🎉

A massive CONGRATULATIONS to Jema Howie 🥳

You've won a Personalised Braid Hairstyle!

Thank you SO much to everyone who entered, shared and supported my little business — honestly, the support lately has been absolutely unreal 🥹❤️

And what a weekend to announce a winner… because TOMORROW IS SHABA!! 🏆✨

I'm excited, nervous and still can't quite believe we're here 😂🤞

Jema Howie pop me a message and we'll get your prize sorted! 🥰

Now… one more sleep until the SHABA Awards! 😬🏆💙

Wish me luck!! 🤞🥹❤️

🎉 IT’S COMPETITION TIME!! 🎉

With SHABA just over a week away 😭🩷 and me heading there as a Best Braider finalist, I thought what better excuse to do something I haven't done in AGES… a braid competition!! 😍🙌

One lucky person is going to WIN a completely personalised braid design! 🔥

Send me your inspo and we'll create something you LOVE, orrrr if you're brave enough… give me free rein and let me work my magic 👀😂🩷

To enter:
🩷 Like this post
🩷 Share this post
🩷 Follow Cariad Beauty
🩷 Tag your friends

Winner announced Saturday 19th September! 🥳

And genuinely, THANK YOU for all the support you've shown me and Cariad, especially throughout my SHABA journey. It means more than you know 🥹🩷

Rightttt… WHO WANTS SOME NEW BRAIDS?! 😍🔥

GOOD LUCK!! 🩷🩷

💅🏼 NAIL MODEL & CONTENT DAY 💅🏼

It's been a while since I've opened up nail model spaces, sooooo I'm bringing them back! 😍

I've picked out some gorgeous designs that I'm dying to create and get some fresh nail content 🔥

✨ Natural BIAB + selected nail art — £25
✨ BIAB extensions/tips + selected nail art — £30

Yep… the nail art is INCLUDED! 😍🙌🏼

🔥 One model per design
🔥 Selected designs only
🔥 Must be happy for photos/videos to be taken
🔥 £20 deposit required to secure
🔥 No spaces held without deposit

See a design you want? Message me the number to claim it! 💅🏼

Once they're gone, they're gone 👀

📸 PLEASE NOTE: The designs pictured are inspiration images and are NOT my work.

🍫🤍 Chocolate with a little something extra…

Polka dots, florals, swirls & the prettiest chocolate brown 🤎✨

Absolutely LOVE how this set came together 😍

Who else is ready for the autumn nail sets to start creeping in? 👀🍂

📲 Appointments available — message to book 🤎

🔥 BRAID MODEL & CONTENT DAY! 🔥

It’s been a LONG time since I’ve done one of these and I’m actually so excited to bring it back!!

I’ve picked out some absolutely gorgeous intricate braid designs that I’ve been dying to get creative with, put my own spin on and create some fresh content.

So I’m looking for a handful of models to come and spend the day creating with me.

And of course… because this is a model & content day, all of the selected designs will be available at heavily discounted model prices! 👀🙌🏼

And when I say bargain… I mean BARGAIN! 😂🔥 These styles can last WEEKS with the correct aftercare, so at these discounted prices you’re getting an absolute steal!

✨ ONE model per design
✨ Adults & children welcome
✨ Hair/accessories included where required
✨ Must be happy for photos & videos to be taken
✨ Deposit required to secure your space

Spaces/designs will NOT be held without a deposit ❤️

If you see a design you fancy, send me the number + a photo of your current hair and we’ll get you booked in!

I genuinely can’t wait to get stuck into these 😍🔥

📸 Please note: Images shown are inspiration images and are not my work.

💗 Braids & Bubbles today! 🥂

Really looking forward to this afternoon! 🥰

I absolutely love running these workshops, meeting new people and helping them build the confidence to learn new hair skills they can actually take away and use at home 💕

Looking forward to meeting everyone joining me today and having a lovely couple of hours together! 🥂💗

See you all at 3pm! 🫶